5 Ways to Improve Your Mood this Winter
Have you ever noticed that when the day is gloomy or the weather is cold and damp, your mood swiftly changes to a sadder tone?
Well, you’re not the only one. Based on various studies - weather affects a person’s mood. Have you heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD? This is a condition where a person develops low mood during the winter months, when the days are shorter and darker.
3 Reasons Why This Happens
1. Limited sun exposure = lowered levels of Vitamin D
Sunlight is necessary for the production and activation of Vitamin D. This reaction happens on the surface of our skin when we are exposed to sunlight. The lack or deficiency of Vitamin D (or the sunshine vitamin) has been associated with depression, anxiety, and mood changes. Vitamin D levels are lowered in Winter because it is less sunny, we wear more clothes/layers and we stay inside.
2. Changes in the circadian rhythm.
Lack of light during the winter months can throw off your circadian rhythm and this means an increase in melatonin release and a reduction in serotonin and therefore increased levels of sleepiness and lowered mood.
3. Less physical activity and socialising
This means a reduction in endorphins or ‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain.
Cold weather limits the types of activity you can do - whether that’s physical, sports, or socialising with friends and family. These limitations affect the production of good hormones or endorphins that our body needs to regulate our mood.
5 Ways to Improve your Mood in Winter
Here are 5 simple ways to help you improve your mood whenever the winter bug strikes.
1. Take a Vitamin D supplement
Taking a supplement from May to September can really help to boost your Vitamin D levels during the winter months and can mean that you feel happier in the process. Did you know Vitamin D can support a healthy immune system too. Which is perfect to protect you from cold symptoms this winter.
2. Movement
Move your body! There is no right or wrong way to ‘exercise’. This can be a slow walk in the park or a crazy dance out in your living room. Movement causes the release of endorphins in the brain and these can make you feel happier.
3. Reduce refined sugars
Reducing sugars in your diet and ‘clean eating’ sounds like it's a fix for everything but in reality what you eat affects your mood. Studies in Nutritional Psychiatry show that sugar causes inflammation in the brain and this in turn affects the levels of serotonin and dopamine affecting how you feel.
4. Light Box
If you are really struggling with low mood during the winter months, it may be worth investing in a light therapy box which mimics outdoor light. Ideally this should be used within the first hour of waking for 20-30 minutes for it to be most effective. If you notice that you are struggling with low mood more days than not, you should have a discussion with your GP. Depression affects 3 millions adults in Australia per year.
5. Auriculotherapy and Acupuncture
Auriculotherapy (ear) and regular acupuncture can help with managing low mood symptoms as well as fatigue and sleep disturbance. They work by balancing Qi or energy flow and removing the blocks within the body creating balance. Did you know that auriculotherapy can be self-administered with ear seeds?
How important is skincare during Winter? Have a read here >>
What are ear seeds?
Ear seeds are small seeds usually 24k gold plated backed with hypoallergenic tape that is placed in your ear. They are placed on particular points that correspond to alleviating specific symptoms. The ear is a representation of the entire body. Kind of like how the foot is used in reflexology.
The seeds create consistent pressure on these points, stimulating them, with the intent to remove or clear energy blockages.
Like acupuncture, ear seeds help with allowing your body’s energy (Qi) to flow better. Improved Qi flow can help enhance mood, combat depression, and reduce anxiety.
Ear seed kits are available for you to purchase through our online shop. We have three available kits namely Depression, Sleep and Insomnia, and Stress and Anxiety.